The Baysox (31-34) kept rolling Friday night as they topped the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (22-43) 9-4 to extend their winning streak to a season-high eight games.

The Baysox started strong and finished strong in the game Friday night. After a four run first inning, New Hampshire starter Joel Carreno retired 12 consecutive batters and 16 of 17 before the team struck again in the seventh and eighth innings with five more runs.

“The pitcher made some good adjustments and he started pitching us differently – a lot of sliders and breaking balls,” said Manager Gary Kendall. “I wonder what would have happened if they hadn’t tried that pick play. That kind of opened up the doors and gave us an opportunity to pick up a run and it seemed to snowball from there.”

The Baysox continued to start quickly with four runs in the first inning against Carreno. Center fielder Antoan Richardson drew a lead off walk and with one out, designated hitter Rhyne Hughes drew a walk. Left fielder Robbie Widlansky followed with a double to left field that plated Richardson and moved Hughes to third base. Shortstop Manny Machado kept the rally going with a single to right field that plated both runners and first baseman Brandon Waring then doubled to left field and moved Machado to third base. Right fielder Josh Barfield hit a sacrifice fly to score Machado and give the Baysox a 4-0 lead.

New Hampshire got one run back in the top of the second inning against Baysox starter Sean Gleason. It was the first run scored against the Baysox in 22 innings. The Fisher Cats hit three straight singles to start the inning and load the bases before John Tolisano grounded out to shortstop but plated the runner at third base to make the score 4-1.

The Fisher Cats added another run in the top of the fourth inning. Kenen Bailli hit a lead off single to left field but was retired at second base when Tolisano grounded into a force out. Tolisano stole second base and later scored when Justin Jackson hit a two out single to left field to make the score 4-2.

New Hampshire continued to cut into the Baysox lead in the top of the sixth inning when Mark Sobolewski hit a lead off home run over the left field fence. Bailli then singled to third base and after Gleason recorded the first out of the inning he was replaced on the mound by right-handed reliever Kyler Newby. With two outs, Bailli stole second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a Jackson single to center field that tied the score 4-4.

The Baysox took advantage of a New Hampshire error to retake the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. Waring was hit by a pitch to start the inning and moved to second base when third baseman Zelous Wheeler hit a one out single to left field. With two outs and Richardsonbatting, Carreno committed a throwing error while attempting to pick off Wheeler at first, allowing Waring to score from second base and advancing Wheeler to second. Richardson then singled to right field to plate Wheeler from second and give the Baysox a 6-4 lead. Evan Englebrook replaced Carreno on the mound to finish the inning.

Bowie added some insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Widlansky hit a one out single to left field and stole second base with Machado batting. Widlansky scored when Machado singled to right field before stealing second base with Waring batting. Waring drew a walk and Barfield kept things going with a double to left field that plated Machado and moved Waring to third base. Wheeler followed with a walk to load the bases and Aaron Loup entered to replace Englebrook on the mound. Catcher Brian Ward then singled to left field to score Waring and give the Baysox a 9-4 lead.

“I felt great tonight; I am seeing the ball well and am feeling comfortable at the plate,” Machado said. “The team played a good game overall. We had some big hits in key situations. We stuck together and came through in the clutch with some good at bats at the end.”

Making just his third start of the season after beginning the year in the bullpen, Gleason pitched five and one-third innings and allowed four runs on eight hits while striking out three batters in the no decision.

“I feel like I have four pitches that I can throw for strikes and that’s something that can help you get deep into game,” Gleason said. “Baseball is a game of inches and if a few of my pitches had gone to the right or left or if a few of those balls hadn’t dropped late I could have gotten deeper into that game. My arm felt good today.”

Newby pitched one and two-thirds innings and allowed one hit while striking out two batters in the win. Left-handed reliever Pedro Viola pitched the final two innings for the Baysox and did not allow a hit while striking out five batters to earn his second save of the season.

Carreno took the loss for the Fisher Cats, pitching six and two-thirds innings and allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits while striking out six batters and walking two.

The Baysox are home through Sunday, June 17 for a six game home stand. Some of the highlights include Louie’s Birthday Bash Saturday, June 16 and a Father’s Day Celebration Sunday, June 16.

RHP Tim Bascom (3-4, 4.28) is scheduled to take the mound for the Baysox tomorrow as the teams plays the second game in a three game series against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. He will be opposed by RHP John Stilson.

Baysox Baseball – We’ll Knock Your ‘Sox Off. The Baysox 20th season is underway. Parking is free at every Baysox home game and tickets are now available at www.baysox.com, or by calling the Baysox box office at (301) 464-4865.